And one to grow on…
I’m going to throw in an extra here. Something that will cost you neither money nor time and may earn you both. You can do this today. Right now.
Smile. A smile makes up for so many things. Even if all of the above five are lacking from your habits research shows a smile makes you more beautiful. I’m not talking about being mildly amused or giving a little grin. I’m talking a full-blown smile! Take a moment to figure out what makes you smile.
Why: Regardless of what shape your skin is in a smile draws the eye and distracts from blemishes. However, there are actual anatomical benefits to smiling as well. Smiling relaxes our skin and reduces unattractive tension lines giving us an instant face-lift. Smiling makes us look younger. When I see the before-and-after pictures of the latest miracle product, what goes through my mind is, “Oh look. The person learned how to smile.” Smiling also reduces stress; see the skin benefits of stress reduction above.
Tip: Return every smile you see. If you live in a realm of perpetually unsmiling people, return every frown you see with a smile. Sure, some people will think you’re a smiling weirdo, but that idea makes me smile all the more. Most of the time the maxim holds true: smile and the world smiles with you.
All of these tips build on each other: Exercising reduces stress. Lowering stress contributes to better sleeping. Sleeping better lays the basis for better eating. And on and on it goes.
It takes six weeks for new skin to reach the surface so give these tips some time to take effect. You’ll just have to recognize that they’re practically free. This is one area where you get far beyond what you pay for. That’s something to smile about!
The basis of this post first appeared in a guest post Lisa Bronner wrote for Maria’s Farm Country Kitchen, July 7, 2015. Lisa writes the Going Green blog in partnership with her family’s company, Dr. Bronner’s, makers of best-selling organic personal care products.
©2019 Lisa Bronner for SeniorWomen.com
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